Drug Charge Lawyer in Tampa, FL | Smith & Eulo Law Firm

In Florida, you can be charged with two types of drug crimes: possession and trafficking. Possession is the less serious of the two offenses, you can be charged with this type if you have a controlled substance in your possession illegally.

Drug trafficking charges occur when you’re caught selling, manufacturing, transporting, or importing drugs. The penalties for your drug crime charges will depend on how much you have, the schedule of drugs you have, and your history of similar crimes, so they can be either a misdemeanor or a felony charge.

If you’ve been arrested for a drug crime in Tampa, Florida, it’s important to contact an experienced Tampa criminal defense attorney. They can analyze the situation in which you were arrested and dissect the legality of the law officers arresting procedures and their grounds for stopping and searching your vehicle, person, or premises.

Drug charges include:

Illegally possessing or transporting a controlled substance
Illegally growing marijuana
Unlawfully manufacturing drugs
Conspiring to commit drug crimes
Driving while under the influence of controlled substances
Importing drugs
Illegally possessing drugs with the intention of selling or distributing
Illegally possessing equipment for using drugs
Prescription drug fraud

What are the penalties for drug crimes?

What type of drug you have contributes to the penalties you’ll receive if you’re charged with a drug crime. Drugs are organized into “schedules” depending on their medicinal use, safety, and their addictive nature. The Controlled Substance Act was the law that created drug schedules

Schedule I

These drugs do not serve any medical use and have a high potential for drug abuse. Examples would be heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.

Schedule II

These drugs can be used medicinally but under strict doctor’s supervision. The general public does not have access to them, and they have a high potential for drug abuse. Examples would be cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and PCP.

Schedule III

These drugs have a moderate potential to lead to drug abuse. Examples would be anabolic steroids, testosterone, Vicodin, Tylenol, ketamine, and codeine.

Schedule IV

These drugs are commonly given out by doctors to treat sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression. They have a low to moderate chance of abuse. Examples would be Xanax, Valium, Ambien, Ativan, and soma.

Schedule V

These drugs are over-the-counter, but they normally contain some type of narcotic. They have a low chance of addiction, and are generally used to treat colds, aches, pain, and coughs. Examples would be Robitussin, Lyrica, and Parepectolin.

Jail Time for Drug Crimes

Depending on whether you’re charged with possession or trafficking can determine if you’re facing a misdemeanor or felony charges, However, the quantity of the drug and its schedule (as well as your criminal past) are the contributing factors in what your penalties will be. The following are common drug types and amounts with their average jail time sentences.

10 Years in Jail

Heroin: 1 kilogram
Cocaine: 5 kilograms
Marijuana: 1000 kilograms or more
Cocaine mixtures: 280 grams or more
PCP: 100 grams or more
PCP Mixtures: 1 kilogram or more
LSD Mixtures: 10 grams or more
Mixtures with Fentanyl: 400 grams or more
Meth and meth-related drugs: 50 grams or more
Meth Mixtures: 500 grams or more

5 to 40 Years in Jail

Heroin: 100 grams
Cocaine: 500 grams
Cocaine Mixtures: 28 grams or more
PCP: 10 grams or more
PCP Mixtures: 100 grams or more
LSD: 1 gram or more
Marijuana: 100 kilograms
Meth and Meth-related substances: 5 grams or more
Fentanyl mixtures: 40 grams or more

If you or your loved one are in need of information on Drug Crime, call us at 813-359-8667 to speak with a qualified legal professional or fill out the contact form on this page. We’re available 24/7, we offer free initial consultation and payment plans. In addition to our Tampa office, we have offices in the following cities across the state of Florida:

Drug Charge Lawyer in Tampa Florida